Coolant pump for automotive use
AssigneeFlowork Systems Inc.
InventorsWalter O Repple, John R L Fulton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An impeller pump with thermostatically adjustable guide vanes is suitable for use as an automotive coolant pump. The pump is driven by a constant speed electric motor, and flow variation is controlled by varying the orientation of the vanes. Orientation of the vanes is effected by a wax-type thermostat, which senses coolant temperature: flow is increased when the coolant is hot, and decreased as the coolant cools. The variable guide vanes are mounted for pivoting about radial axes, and are located just upstream from the pump impeller.
Claims20
A liquid-pumping apparatus, which is so constructed as to be suitable for incorporation into an engine having a liquid-cooled cooling system containing a quantity of a liquid coolant, the apparatus being suitable for circulating the coolant, wherein:
- the apparatus includes a rotatable impeller, mounted in a fixed housing;
- the housing defines a pump chamber, in which the coolant being pumped is conveyed through the impeller;
- the apparatus includes a means for rotating the impeller;
- the apparatus includes a movable swirl-inducing means;
- the movable swirl-inducing means is so located in relation to the impeller as to be effective to impart a bias condition onto the flow of coolant passing through the impeller;
- the movable swirl-inducing means is movable through a range of conditions, between a flow-reducing bias condition and a flow-boosting bias condition;
- the movable swirl-inducing means is so arranged in conjunction with the impeller as to induce, during operation of the pump, a biassing swirl in the flow of liquid passing through the impeller;
- the movable swirl-inducing means is so arranged that movement thereof produces a corresponding change in the degree of swirl bias induced;
- the apparatus includes a temperature-transducer, having an output member;
- the output member is movable through a range of positions, in response to changes in temperature of the coolant, between a cold-liquid position and a hot-liquid position of the output member;
- the apparatus includes a connecting means, which operatively connects the output member of the temperature transducer to the movable swirl-inducing means, whereby movement of the output member produces a corresponding movement of the movable swirl-inducing means;
- the connecting-means comprises a means for moving the movable swirl-inducing means;
- the apparatus is so arranged that when the output member of the temperature is in the cold-liquid position, the movable swirl-inducing means is in the flow-reducing bias condition, and when the movable member is in the hot-liquid position, the movable swirl-inducing means is in the flow-boosting bias condition.
A liquid-pumping apparatus, wherein:
- the apparatus includes a rotatable impeller, mounted in a fixed housing;
- the housing defines a pump chamber, in which liquid being pumped is conveyed through the impeller;
- the apparatus includes a motor means, for rotating the impeller;
- the apparatus includes a flow-deflector;
- the flow-deflector is so located in relation to the impeller as to be effective to impart a bias condition onto the flow of liquid passing through the impeller;
- the flow-deflector is movable through a range of conditions, between a flow-reducing bias condition and a flow-boosting bias condition;
- the apparatus includes a temperature-transducer, having an output member;
- the output member is movable through a range of positions, in response to changes in temperature of the liquid, between a cold-liquid position and a hot-liquid position of the output member;
- the apparatus includes a connecting means, which operatively connects the output member of the temperature transducer to the flow-deflector, whereby movement of the output member produces a corresponding movement of the flow-deflector;
- the apparatus is so arranged that when the output member of the temperature transducer is in the cold-liquid position, the flow-deflector is in the flow reducing bias condition, and when the movable member is in the hot-liquid position, the flow-deflector is in the flow-boosting bias condition;
- the motor means comprises an electric motor;
- the apparatus includes a supply means for supplying electric power to the electric motor, and the supply means is effective, in operation, to keep the rotational speed of the motor substantially constant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.